Historic Corsair Speed Car Returns Home

Published on Aug 12 2026

College of the Redwoods Corsair Speed Car Returns Home After Community-Led Restoration

One of the most remarkable student engineering achievements in College of the Redwoods history is coming home.

After more than five decades, the Corsair Speed Car No. 671 has returned to the college’s Eureka campus as part of a yearlong restoration project.

“The return of Car 671 is a tangible demonstration of our commitment to innovation,” says CR President Dr. Keith Flamer, “honoring our past as we continue to look forward. We could not have gotten this far if was not for the CR Foundation and Quality Body Works.”

The 26-foot diesel-powered streamliner, built by students in CR’s Diesel Heavy Equipment Club under the direction of instructor Bob Havemann, captured national attention at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah in 1971. Nearly three tons in weight, the student-built vehicle recorded an average speed of 190.394 mph, surpassing the existing diesel land speed record of 169.1 mph by more than 20 mph. A year later, it surpassed itself, achieving an average speed of 204.912 mph and setting a new international record with a top speed of 233.918 mph.

The return of the Corsair Speed Car was made possible by many generous community members. Jim Morrison, the car’s final owner, donated it to the CR Foundation, while retired CR automotive faculty member Tom Crossan championed its return to campus. Ross Creech and Kenny Goldie of Quality Body Works led the restoration and installation, with paint and materials donated by Chris Edward of The Paint Store and AkzoNobel. Thanks also to Dale Warmuth of Leon’s Car Care Center for storing the car for many years, Visual Concepts and Tommy Smith for recreating its original details, and CR faculty Kyle Shamp and Derrick Derek Glavich for building its display stands. 

“The restoration and return of the Corsair Speed Car to CR’s Eureka campus is another great example of how businesses and individuals throughout Humboldt County come together to make a community project a reality,” said Marty Coelho, executive director of College Advancement and the CR Foundation. “Not every community has people who are so willing to go out of their way to help one another and support an effort like this. It’s especially meaningful to bring this important piece of CR history back to its birthplace.”

A campus celebration marking the Corsair Speed Car’s return is tentatively planned for Oct. 1, 2026. Those interested in the Corsair and its history are also invited to the 22nd Annual College of the Redwoods Dinner & Auction on Aug. 13 from 5 to 9 p.m. in the CR Gymnasium. The event will recognize the Corsair Car and the students who built it, and premiere a new Ruf Collective video telling the story of the students, faculty, and community members behind the project.

Tickets and tables for the CR Dinner & Auction are still available at: https://app.dvforms.net/api/dv/dw13y9?utm_source=chatgpt.com